In a decision posted Aug. 13, the CRTC has approved CBC’s applications for licence amendments and removed the restriction on acquisitions and broadcast of popular non-Canadian feature films during peak viewing hours for both the CBC and Radio-Canada networks.

The commission stated it accepts CBC’s arguments ‘that the broadcast of popular non-Canadian films in peak viewing hours is not inconsistent with the CBC’s mandate under the [Broadcasting] Act,’ and the frequency of so-called foreign ‘blockbusters’ aired on CBC ‘has not been excessive.’

Within the industry, screenwriters in SARTEC and the Union des Artistes supported the CBC/SRC amendment application, as did several independent producers and the Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

The CFTPA, however, proposed an approach where the conditions of licence for both networks would remain in place, but with implementation delayed for one more year. The CFTPA suggested the one-year grace period would provide the commission sufficient time to undertake a larger review of Canadian drama programming.

Strong opposition against the CBC application was filed by broadcasters CTV, CHUM and Craig Media.

-www.crtc.gc.ca